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|VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]]
|VR/AR = [[Virtual Reality]]
|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]
|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]
|Subtype = [[Standalone VR]]
|Subtype = [[PC VR]]
|Platform = [[SteamVR]], [[Pimax Play]]
|Developer = [[Pimax]]
|Manufacturer = [[Pimax]]
|Announcement Date = January 2020 (CES 2020)
|Release Date = 2020
|Release Date = 2020
|Price = $1299
|Price = $750 USD
|Display = 2 x CLPL binocular
|Website = https://pimax.com/
|Resolution = 2560x1440 per-eye
|Predecessor = [[Pimax 5K Plus]]
|Refresh Rate = 180 Hz
|Successor = [[Pimax Crystal]]
|Field of View = 150° horizontal, 103° vertical
|Display = 2x LCD (RGB stripe matrix)
|Horizontal FoV = 150°
|Resolution = 2560x1440 per eye (5120x1440 combined)
|Vertical FoV = 103°
|Refresh Rate = 90 Hz, 120 Hz, 144 Hz, 160 Hz, 180 Hz (experimental)
|Diagonal FoV =
|Field of View = 200° diagonal, 170° horizontal, 115° vertical (varies by mode)
|IPD Range = 60-72 mm hardware adjustable (manual)
|IPD Range = 60-73mm (physical slider)
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Optics = Angled displays with custom lenses
|Tracking = 6DoF (SteamVR Lighthouse 1.0/2.0)
|Eye Tracking = No (optional add-on)
|Hand Tracking = No (optional add-on)
|Controllers = SteamVR compatible (sold separately)
|Audio = Modular Audio Strap (MAS) included
|Connectivity = DisplayPort 1.4, USB, Power
|Weight = ~470g (headset only)
}}
}}


'''Pimax 5K Super''' is a [[virtual reality]] [[head-mounted display]] released in 2020.
The '''Pimax 5K Super''' (marketed as '''Pimax Vision 5K Super''') is a high-refresh-rate [[PC VR]] [[head-mounted display]] developed by [[Pimax]], announced at CES 2020 and released in 2020 at $750. The headset is notable for being the first consumer VR headset to reach 180 Hz refresh rate (in experimental mode), with standard support for 160 Hz. Featuring dual 2560x1440 LCD panels with RGB stripe matrix and up to 200° diagonal field of view, the 5K Super targets sim racing and competitive gaming enthusiasts who prioritize high refresh rates and wide FOV over maximum resolution.


== Specifications ==
== History and Development ==
* '''Display:''' 2 x CLPL binocular
 
* '''Resolution:''' 2560x1440 per-eye
Pimax first showed the 5K Super prototype at CES 2020, positioning it as a high-refresh-rate variant of their 5K lineup. The headset launched in 2020 for $750, offering an alternative to the higher-resolution 8KX for users who preferred smoother motion over maximum pixel count. The 5K Super introduced the industry's first 180 Hz mode for consumer VR.<ref name="roadtovr">{{cite web |url=https://www.roadtovr.com/pimax-5k-super-vr-launch/ |title=Pimax Launches "5K" Super VR Headset Featuring 180Hz Refresh Rate |publisher=Road to VR |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
* '''Refresh Rate:''' 180 Hz
 
* '''Field of View:''' 150° horizontal, 103° vertical
== Design and Hardware ==
* '''IPD Range:''' 60-72 mm hardware adjustable (manual)
 
* '''Price:''' $1299
=== Display ===
 
Fast-switching LCD panels:
 
* Dual LCD panels (RGB stripe matrix)
* '''2560x1440 resolution per eye'''
* 5120x1440 combined resolution
* Low latency panels
* Reduced screen door effect vs PenTile
* Wide color gamut
 
=== Refresh Rate ===
 
Industry-leading options:
 
* 90 Hz
* 120 Hz
* 144 Hz
* '''160 Hz''' (standard high mode)
* '''180 Hz''' (experimental)—first consumer VR headset
* Lower persistence at higher rates
* Smoother motion for competitive gaming
 
=== Field of View ===
 
Adjustable ultra-wide FOV:
 
* '''200° diagonal''' (Large mode)
* '''170° horizontal''' (Large mode)
* 115° vertical
* Normal mode: ~170° diagonal
* Small mode: ~140° diagonal
* FOV limited at highest refresh rates due to bandwidth
* 170° max at 160 Hz+
 
=== Optics ===
 
* Custom angled lens design
* Canted displays for peripheral vision
* Large sweet spot
* Manual IPD adjustment (60-73mm)
* Physical slider for IPD
 
=== Tracking ===
 
SteamVR Lighthouse compatibility:
 
* '''6 Degrees of Freedom''' (6DoF)
* SteamVR Tracking 1.0 support
* SteamVR Tracking 2.0 support
* Built-in 3DoF gyro sensor
* External base stations required (sold separately)
 
=== Audio ===
 
Modular Audio Strap:
 
* '''MAS (Modular Audio Strap)''' included
* Off-ear speakers
* Integrated audio solution
* Improved comfort
* Optional headphone jack
 
=== Build ===
 
* ~470g headset weight
* Wide facial interface
* Adjustable head strap
* Comfortable foam padding
 
== Technical Specifications ==
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Specification !! Details
|-
| Display || LCD RGB stripe
|-
| Resolution || 2560x1440 per eye
|-
| Refresh Rate || 90-180 Hz
|-
| Field of View || Up to 200° diagonal
|-
| IPD Range || 60-73mm (physical)
|-
| Tracking || SteamVR 1.0/2.0
|-
| Audio || Modular Audio Strap
|-
| Weight || ~470g
|-
| Price || $750
|}
 
== FOV and Refresh Rate Modes ==
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Mode !! FOV !! Max Refresh Rate
|-
| Large || 200° diagonal || 120 Hz
|-
| Normal || 170° diagonal || 144 Hz
|-
| Small || 140° diagonal || 180 Hz
|}
 
== Reception ==
 
'''Praise:'''
* 180 Hz refresh rate first in consumer VR
* Ultra-wide 200° FOV immersive
* RGB stripe LCD reduces screen door effect
* Multiple refresh rate options
* Excellent for sim racing
* Good for competitive gaming
* SteamVR tracking reliable
* Included Modular Audio Strap
* Physical IPD adjustment
* $750 reasonable for features
 
'''Criticism:'''
* FOV limited at highest refresh rates
* LCD black levels inferior to OLED
* Requires external base stations
* Controllers sold separately
* Software can be finicky
* Heavy GPU requirements at high settings
* Distortion at FOV edges
* 5K naming misleading (not true 5K)<ref name="tomshardware">{{cite web |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pimax-vision-5k-super-review |title=Pimax Vision 5K Super Review: VR at 180Hz |publisher=Tom's Hardware |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
 
<ref name="techpowerup">{{cite web |url=https://www.techpowerup.com/275455/pimax-launches-5k-super-vr-headset-with-180hz-refresh-rate/ |title=Pimax Launches 5K SUPER VR Headset with 180Hz Refresh Rate |publisher=TechPowerUp |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Virtual Reality]]
* [[Pimax 8KX]]
* [[Head-mounted display]]
* [[Pimax Crystal]]
* [[VR Headset]]
* [[Valve Index]]
* [[HP Reverb G2]]
 
== References ==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:VR Headsets]]
[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]]
[[Category:Virtual Reality Devices]]
[[Category:PC VR Headsets]]
[[Category:Pimax]]
[[Category:2020 in technology]]

Latest revision as of 15:52, 7 January 2026

Pimax 5K Super
Basic Info
VR/AR Virtual Reality
Type Head-mounted display
Subtype PC VR
Platform SteamVR, Pimax Play
Developer Pimax
Manufacturer Pimax
Announcement Date January 2020 (CES 2020)
Release Date 2020
Price $750 USD
Website https://pimax.com/
Predecessor Pimax 5K Plus
Successor Pimax Crystal
System
Storage
Display
Display 2x LCD (RGB stripe matrix)
Resolution 2560x1440 per eye (5120x1440 combined)
Refresh Rate 90 Hz, 120 Hz, 144 Hz, 160 Hz, 180 Hz (experimental)
Image
Field of View 200° diagonal, 170° horizontal, 115° vertical (varies by mode)
Optics
Optics Angled displays with custom lenses
Ocularity Binocular
IPD Range 60-73mm (physical slider)
Tracking
Tracking 6DoF (SteamVR Lighthouse 1.0/2.0)
Eye Tracking No (optional add-on)
Hand Tracking No (optional add-on)
Audio
Audio Modular Audio Strap (MAS) included
Connectivity
Connectivity DisplayPort 1.4, USB, Power
Device
Weight ~470g (headset only)


The Pimax 5K Super (marketed as Pimax Vision 5K Super) is a high-refresh-rate PC VR head-mounted display developed by Pimax, announced at CES 2020 and released in 2020 at $750. The headset is notable for being the first consumer VR headset to reach 180 Hz refresh rate (in experimental mode), with standard support for 160 Hz. Featuring dual 2560x1440 LCD panels with RGB stripe matrix and up to 200° diagonal field of view, the 5K Super targets sim racing and competitive gaming enthusiasts who prioritize high refresh rates and wide FOV over maximum resolution.

History and Development

Pimax first showed the 5K Super prototype at CES 2020, positioning it as a high-refresh-rate variant of their 5K lineup. The headset launched in 2020 for $750, offering an alternative to the higher-resolution 8KX for users who preferred smoother motion over maximum pixel count. The 5K Super introduced the industry's first 180 Hz mode for consumer VR.[1]

Design and Hardware

Display

Fast-switching LCD panels:

  • Dual LCD panels (RGB stripe matrix)
  • 2560x1440 resolution per eye
  • 5120x1440 combined resolution
  • Low latency panels
  • Reduced screen door effect vs PenTile
  • Wide color gamut

Refresh Rate

Industry-leading options:

  • 90 Hz
  • 120 Hz
  • 144 Hz
  • 160 Hz (standard high mode)
  • 180 Hz (experimental)—first consumer VR headset
  • Lower persistence at higher rates
  • Smoother motion for competitive gaming

Field of View

Adjustable ultra-wide FOV:

  • 200° diagonal (Large mode)
  • 170° horizontal (Large mode)
  • 115° vertical
  • Normal mode: ~170° diagonal
  • Small mode: ~140° diagonal
  • FOV limited at highest refresh rates due to bandwidth
  • 170° max at 160 Hz+

Optics

  • Custom angled lens design
  • Canted displays for peripheral vision
  • Large sweet spot
  • Manual IPD adjustment (60-73mm)
  • Physical slider for IPD

Tracking

SteamVR Lighthouse compatibility:

  • 6 Degrees of Freedom (6DoF)
  • SteamVR Tracking 1.0 support
  • SteamVR Tracking 2.0 support
  • Built-in 3DoF gyro sensor
  • External base stations required (sold separately)

Audio

Modular Audio Strap:

  • MAS (Modular Audio Strap) included
  • Off-ear speakers
  • Integrated audio solution
  • Improved comfort
  • Optional headphone jack

Build

  • ~470g headset weight
  • Wide facial interface
  • Adjustable head strap
  • Comfortable foam padding

Technical Specifications

Specification Details
Display LCD RGB stripe
Resolution 2560x1440 per eye
Refresh Rate 90-180 Hz
Field of View Up to 200° diagonal
IPD Range 60-73mm (physical)
Tracking SteamVR 1.0/2.0
Audio Modular Audio Strap
Weight ~470g
Price $750

FOV and Refresh Rate Modes

Mode FOV Max Refresh Rate
Large 200° diagonal 120 Hz
Normal 170° diagonal 144 Hz
Small 140° diagonal 180 Hz

Reception

Praise:

  • 180 Hz refresh rate first in consumer VR
  • Ultra-wide 200° FOV immersive
  • RGB stripe LCD reduces screen door effect
  • Multiple refresh rate options
  • Excellent for sim racing
  • Good for competitive gaming
  • SteamVR tracking reliable
  • Included Modular Audio Strap
  • Physical IPD adjustment
  • $750 reasonable for features

Criticism:

  • FOV limited at highest refresh rates
  • LCD black levels inferior to OLED
  • Requires external base stations
  • Controllers sold separately
  • Software can be finicky
  • Heavy GPU requirements at high settings
  • Distortion at FOV edges
  • 5K naming misleading (not true 5K)[2]

[3]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "Pimax Launches "5K" Super VR Headset Featuring 180Hz Refresh Rate". Road to VR. https://www.roadtovr.com/pimax-5k-super-vr-launch/.
  2. ↑ "Pimax Vision 5K Super Review: VR at 180Hz". Tom's Hardware. https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pimax-vision-5k-super-review.
  3. ↑ "Pimax Launches 5K SUPER VR Headset with 180Hz Refresh Rate". TechPowerUp. https://www.techpowerup.com/275455/pimax-launches-5k-super-vr-headset-with-180hz-refresh-rate/.
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